“What do you boys want to do first?” I asked them. “Games? Rides? Golf?”
“Let Edwin decide,” Brax insisted. “He’s our guest.”
“That’s so nice of you, Brax.” I turned off the car and climbed out, meeting the others at the front bumper. “So, Edwin, choices?”
“I was going to say Brax should pick because he has been here before.”
They stood there looking at one another for a long moment. Then they giggled and chorused, quietly, “Daddy, choose.”
In the interest of time, I didn’t argue their choice. “All right. Arcade games then claw machines.”
They had meant it when they offered me the options because they instantly agreed, and Brax led the way toward the arcade doors. I had thought they might insist on claw machines first, but since we would end up carrying prizes from there—I would make sure of it—games that only spit out tickets first. They would be turned in for prizes as well, but the tickets could be in my pockets until we were ready to select them and leave.
Despite the parking lot’s fullness, it seemed that the largest number of customers were outside on the rides and other attractions, so my two boys were able to dash from machine to machine as it pleased them without having to wait in line. They played an alien version of Whac-A-Mole, laughing as they used the mallets to bop the little green heads and make their eyes bulge. There were more active games than I recalled, and they raced on motorcycles, danced on a light mat, and climbed the rock wall before pausing for a cold drink and hot pretzel.
“Ready for the claws?” I asked when they had sucked the last of their frozen lemonade through the straws. “I checked out themachines while you were playing the vintage games, and there are some very cute prizes.”
They had been looking a little tired and sweaty, but when I mentioned the machines, both boys perked up. “I’m ready,” Brax said.
“Me too.” Edwin grinned. “Is it true you always win, D-Cliff?”
My heard thumped at his near misspeak. Would I like Edwin to call me Daddy? Yes, I thought I would. “I don’t always,” I replied. “But I’m not bad.”
In fact, I had my best night ever, and we drove away with an armload of stuffies for each of the boys. Also, the prizes they’d used their game tickets for, mostly smaller stuffies. Everything was adorable, and the pair of prize winners fell asleep almost as soon as we left the parking lot.
At the Little House, I went around to his side of the car and shook Edwin’s shoulder gently. “You’re home. Time to wake up.”
He sighed, huddling in the seat and batting my hand away. “Five more minutes, Daddy.”
“Oh no.” I stroked his hair back from his forehead. “You have to walk inside before you can sleep in your comfy bed, okay?”
Edwin allowed me to unhook his seat belt and help him to his feet. “I wish you could carry me,” he murmured.
“Me too.” But he was not a small man, and it would have been awkward at best. “You’re doing great.”
Footsteps from behind us were followed by, “Wait for me,” and Brax came up next to us. “I didn’t get to say good night.”
The three of us mounted the steps and came to the door of the Little House. Then we stood there, for a moment, before I reached out and drew Edwin into a hug. Meeting Brax’s gaze over his shoulder, I arched a brow, and my little nodded.
“May we kiss you good night, Edwin?” I asked, stroking his back in long, gentle caresses.
“Yes,” he said. “Please.”
It was a very short kiss, but enough to know that I liked his warmth and sweetness before I turned him in my arms to face Brax. And if I’d enjoyed our kiss, watching theirs was a revelation. Jealousy? Not at all. Just gladness and heat.
And an easy affection that made my heart swell.
Chapter Sixteen
Edwin
My night out with Brax and Cliff had been the best date ever, bar none. I kept thinking it would get awkward, that one of them would get jealous of the other, or that I would be jealous. And I was jealous, but not that they were together. I was jealous that they had known each other longer and I’d missed out on that time.
It had taken me a while to figure out that was what I was feeling, and now that I had, I wasn’t sure what to do with it. I couldn’t exactly call them and say, “Hey, by the way, I want to jump in with both feet because I have this weird sense of FOMO since you knew each other first.”
As much as I liked them and wanted to be with them both, I still didn’t understand how this could work. How could they be exclusive and yet also with me? Were they even asking for exclusivity from me? I didn’t know, but I wanted to ask for it. Just the thought of them asking another little out had me nauseated.
I didn’t want to keep playing the game ofWell, we’ll see what happens. It was fine for a date, or even if we wanted to date like this for a while, but if it had no hope, I didn’t want to get too attached. Who was I kidding? That train had already left the station. I was attached…very.
